The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, situated in the lush Kalihi district in Honolulu is the largest museum in Hawai’i. The Bishop Museum is home to artifacts and specimens originating from the realms of Hawaiian Cultural and Natural history. Such artifacts and specimens include timeless family heirlooms from the reign of King Kamehameha I, documents depicting rituals of early Polynesian culture and natural specimens dating back millions of years. Charles Reed Bishop is presumed to be the earliest co-founder of the Bishop Museum. Charles Reed Bishop built the museum in memory of his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, in 1889. Originally, the museum was built on a Kamehameha school campus, but in 1940 the school moved to another location, allowing the land to be completely occupied by the Bishop Museum. Construction and expansion on the museum continued for years afterward.
Over time, the museum became home to a substantial collection of novels, periodicals, and documents related to the Pacific and Polynesian culture. The Bishop museum houses some of the rarest personally donated artifacts by Queen Lili’oukalani, including genealogy documents that trace her royal lineage.
Moreover, the museum is a great place for families and singles alike. The museum is open every day from 9am to 5pm, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some of the must-see exhibits include The Realms of Hawaiian Hall and The Science Adventure Center. The Realms of Hawaiian Hall takes visitors on a memorable trip through different phases of Hawaiian history, while The Science Adventure Center is a great place for children to learn about oceanology and volcanology, which are essential to Hawai’i’s existence.